The Real Cost of Starting a Company in Switzerland (2026 Breakdown)

Jan 30, 2026

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A practical guide to understanding what it truly costs to open a company in Switzerland — whether online, through traditional incorporation, or by choosing a ready-made Swiss GmbH or AG.

Starting a business in Switzerland in 2026 remains highly appealing thanks to its stability, reputation, and business-friendly environment. But one question entrepreneurs — especially foreigners — ask more than anything else is:

"How much does it really cost to start a company in Switzerland?"

This guide provides a clear, realistic breakdown of the costs involved in traditional company formation in Switzerland, what you pay when you open a company in Switzerland online, and how ReadyCorp's ready-made companies offer a faster and often more cost-efficient alternative.

1. Cost Overview: Traditional Company Incorporation in Switzerland

When setting up a company in Switzerland the standard way, costs include:

A) Share Capital Requirement

This is the biggest cost barrier for most founders:

• GmbH Switzerland (LLC): CHF 20,000 minimum
• AG (Corporation): CHF 100,000 minimum (CHF 50,000 paid-in)

This money must be deposited into a capital deposit account and remains blocked until the company is fully registered in the Swiss company register.

B) Notary Fees

Notary fees vary by canton but usually range:

• CHF 900–2,500 for a GmbH
• CHF 1,500–4,000 for an AG

C) Commercial Registry Fees

Typically CHF 600–1,200 depending on canton.

D) Business License Switzerland (if required)

Some regulated activities need licensing — costs vary widely.

E) Accounting Setup & Annual Compliance

Depending on complexity, expect CHF 1,200–4,000/year minimum.

F) Bank Account Opening

Some banks charge CHF 100–300 for capital deposit accounts; others may charge more for foreign founders.

Total real cost of company incorporation in Switzerland (traditional way):
CHF 5,000 – 10,000 (excluding share capital).

And for foreigners setting up a company in Switzerland, additional requirements often apply (resident director, domiciliation fees, translations, apostilles), raising total costs and extending timelines.

2. Hidden Costs: Time + Capital Blocking

When you open a Swiss LLC or AG traditionally, expect:

• 1–3 weeks to open the capital deposit account
• Your capital (CHF 20,000 / 100,000) is blocked until fully registered
• Additional delays if KYC checks take longer (common for non-residents)

This hidden time cost is why many founders seek alternatives to standard company incorporation in Switzerland.

3. The Cost of Opening a Company in Switzerland Online (Digital Incorporation)

Opening a company in Switzerland online still requires:

• Full capital deposit
• Notary session (remote legalisation is possible)
• Registry fees

Digital incorporation saves time but not money, since all mandatory legal steps remain.

4. The ReadyCorp Alternative: Faster & Often Cheaper

With ReadyCorp Switzerland, you can:

• ✔ Open a company in Switzerland without blocking CHF 20,000 or 100,000
• ✔ Skip opening a capital deposit account entirely
• ✔ Acquire a fully compliant, pre-registered company (Swiss GmbH or AG)
• ✔ Start operations much faster than traditional company formation
• ✔ Avoid many of the delays foreigners face when setting up a company in Switzerland as a non-resident

How much does it cost?

Ready-made Swiss GmbH: ≈ CHF 4,500–14,900
Ready-made Swiss AG: ≈ CHF 9,800–20,200

And these companies already have paid-in capital — a huge financial advantage.

Even more importantly:

You start operating immediately after ownership transfer, instead of waiting weeks for standard company registration in Switzerland.

5. Additional Costs for Foreign Entrepreneurs

If you're opening a company in Switzerland as a foreigner, you may need:

• Swiss registered address
• Swiss-resident director
• Apostilled documents
• Ongoing mail forwarding
• Accounting & annual filings

ReadyCorp offers complete packages for foreign company formation in Switzerland, which simplifies all administrative compliance.

6. What About Branch Offices?

If you're setting up a branch office in Switzerland, the costs differ:

• No capital requirement
• Registration fees
• Local representative
• Accounting and annual reporting

Branches cost less upfront but still require legal compliance and corporate presence.

7. Summary: Real Cost Comparison (2026)

Option	Total Cost	Capital Needed	Time to Start	Best For
Traditional GmbH incorporation	5,000–10,000 + capital	CHF 20,000	3–6 weeks	Founders with time & full capital
Traditional AG incorporation	8,000–15,000 + capital	CHF 50,000–100,000	4–8 weeks	Larger enterprises
ReadyCorp ready-made GmbH	4,500–14,900	No capital to deposit	24–48h transfer	Fast launch
ReadyCorp ready-made AG	9,800–20,200	No capital to deposit	24–48h transfer	Faster corporate setup
Branch office	3,000–6,000	No capital	2–4 weeks	Foreign companies expanding

8. Which Path Is Most Cost-Efficient?

If you want speed, saved capital, and simple compliance:
👉 Ready-made company = the best cost/value ratio in Switzerland

If you want a fresh incorporation date or require a very specific structure:
👉 Traditional incorporation may be more suitable.

If you already have an overseas company expanding into Switzerland:
👉 Setting up a branch office could be optimal.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business in Switzerland in 2026 doesn't need to be expensive or slow. Whether you plan to start a company in Switzerland, open LLC in Switzerland, or launch a Swiss AG, ReadyCorp gives you:

• ✔ A faster pathway
• ✔ No blocked share capital
• ✔ Full compliance from day one
• ✔ A predictable, transparent cost structure